Yankees Rumors: Nolan Arenado a realistic target next offseason

With all the hoopla surrounding the free agency exploits of Bryce Harper and Manny Machado, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic ponders the possibility of the Yankees waiting until next offseason to pursue Nolan Arenado instead.

The Yankees interest in mega free agents, Bryce Harper and Manny Machado has been tempered at best. While owner Hal Steinbrenner has stated that he’d like to speak to the former Oriole turned Dodger about his recent postseason indiscretions, it remains to be seen how much money, if any, GM Brian Cashman will be allowed to offer either young star.

While Machado’s antics signaled a giant red flag — and Bryce Harper’s skill set is more of a luxury rather than a necessity, would the Yanks be wiser waiting until next offseason to sign a once in a generational type of talent?

Nolan Arendado finished third in the NL MVP race in 2018 and is entering his final year of arbitration with the Rockies. Projected to make a whopping $26.1 million by MLB Trade Rumors, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic (subscription required) suggests that the Yankees could pass on both Machado and Harper, and instead, pursue Arenado following the 2019 season.

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Could it be the team prefers to focus on pitching this offseason and then pursue Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado as a free agent next winter?Such a strategy would come with no guarantees. The Rockies are expected to attempt to sign Arenado to an extension before the start of next season. The Yankees would need to outbid every other club for Arenado if he became a free agent. And Arenado is three years older than Harper and Machado. He will be 29 in the first year of his new contract, while the two free agents both will play next season at 26.Arenado, though, might be the most trustworthy long-term. His only career trip to the DL, for a fractured left middle finger, was in 2014. Machado has been comparably durable the past four seasons, but had surgeries on both knees earlier in his career. Harper played in a career-high 159 games last season, but some executives fear his violent actions make him susceptible to injury.They can add (James) Paxton, Corbin and a reliever and still contend for a World Series title even if they do not sign Machado or Harper. And they would still be in position — potentially — to land Arenado.

One would think that Colorado will do all they can to retain the four-time All-Star and six-time Gold Glove winner. However, much of that depends on how the Rockies fare in ’19, considering they’re coming off an NLDS sweep at the hands of the Brewers.

A good barometer for how much Arenado could command on the open market is to wait and see what Machado makes and then add 10-15 percent more because of Arenado’s spotless work ethic.

The fact of the matter is that the 27-year-old California-native can do it all — so it’s unfair to compare him to current Yankees third baseman, Miguel Andujar. Though it’s entirely possible Andujar reaches the same heights as Arenado, offensively (at least a .287 BA, 30 HRs and 110 RBIs in each of the past four seasons) — it’s safe to assume Andujar will never come close to Arenado’s defensive acumen.

A two-time recipient of the Platinum Glove Award, the addition of Arenado would allow the Yankees to potentially move the athletic Andujar to either left field or first base in 2020.

Though Andujar will undoubtedly work hard to better himself at the hot corner in time for Opening Day, if the opportunity presents itself, signing Arenado makes the Yanks better on both sides of the ball.